Morning Heel: UNC Tar Heels Daily News Links

Welcome to another edition of the Morning Heel, a daily feature here at Keeping It Heel.  Along with The Hub we want to bring you not only our original content but a collection of all the best UNC news.  Have a link to suggest? Senditkeepingitheel@gmail.com


UNC Basketball: Tar Heels Knock Off #20 UNLV In Huge Win
The 9-3 Tar Heels squared off with the 20th ranked UNLV Runnin’ Rebels at the Dean Smith Center looking to build on their resume and gain some momentum going into conference play. UNC went without small forward Reggie Bullock who suffered a concussion in Thursdays practice and was held out of the game. (KIH)

Bryn Renner to remain at UNC for senior season
UNC quarterback Bryn Renner announced via Twitter on Saturday evening that he plans to return for his senior season. “Coming back to North Carolina next year,” Renner said in the post. “Looking forward to my senior season as a Tar Heel. Thankful for everything in 2012. 2013 here we come.” Renner was believed to be considering declaring early entry into the NFL Draft. (Carolina Blue)

Tar Heels flash top-25 ability in win versus UNLV
Take a look around. For the first time this season, beat writers and columnists will describe North Carolina with words like “courageous,” “poised” and “resolute.” Playing with enormous passion and buoyed by an energetic — and likely tired of their families — Smith Center crowd, the Tar Heels defeated No. 20 UNLV this afternoon 79-73. (Independent Weekly)

Tar Heels get hard-fought win over UNLV
If UNC needed a challenge heading into the start of ACC play next weekend they certainly got it, as UNLV battled them nip and tuck all the way down to the closing minutes. But in the end the Tar Heels prevailed, finishing the game shooting 50.9 percent from the field in a huge 79-73 triumph that could turn out to be a huge feather in UNC’s camp come NCAA Tournament time. (Tar Heel Illustrated)

NFL Draft: Breakdown of Each Teams Chances of Taking UNC RB Giovani Bernard
Posted:
North Carolina running back Giovani Bernard exits Carolina as one of the best RBs in Tar Heel history and will be the top back in this years draft class. Where will he end up? We’ll have to wait until April 25th to know for sure, until then all we have is speculation, let’s take a look at where Gio could end up at the next level. (KIH)

UNC-UNLV Postgame Notes
Carolina won its 63rd consecutive non-conference game at the Smith Center. Sophomore guard P.J. Hairston made his first college start and had 15 points, four rebounds and tied his career high with four steals. He had no turnovers, scored twice after offensive rebounds and made two key free throws with 28 seconds to play with UNC holding a 76-73 lead. (GoHeels.com)

P.J. Hairston emerges from Reggie Bullock’s shadow
In a season in which so much has been put on the shoulders of forward James Michael McAdoo, who is tasting life as a marked man for the first time, he and the absent Reggie Bullock have needed another reliable player. They may have just found him today. P.J. Hairston became a factor today. Now, can he do it again, and again, and again? (WRAL Sports Fan)

Tar Heels get confidence-building win over #20 UNLV 79-73
P.J. Hairston scored 15 points in his first career start to help North Carolina beat No. 20 UNLV 79-73 on Saturday. Dexter Strickland added a season-high 16 points for the Tar Heels, who led by 15 points in the first half and by nine at the break. But UNC had to turn away a second-half surge by the Runnin’ Rebels to earn the program’s 63rd straight home win against nonconference opponents. (GoHeels.com)

Rapid Reaction: UNC 79, UNLV 73
North Carolina’s defense, focus and toughness have all been questioned this season. Saturday at the Smith Center, the Tar Heels answered all in a big way – with a big win. Playing without its second-leading scorer, Reggie Bullock (concussion), UNC survived the comeback onslaught of No. 20 UNLV, winning 79-73. (ESPN.com)